Current Reds enjoying time with Hall of Famers

Former Cincinnati Reds greats Ron Oester and Ken Griffey Jr., both 2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Inductees sits for a meet and greet at the Reds Hall of Fame at Great American Ball Park.(Photo: The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)

Ken Griffey Jr., Ron Oester, Dave Parker and the late Jake Beckley will be officially inducted in the Hall of Fame Sunday at the Gala at Northern Kentucky Convention Center. But that's just the capper to the festivities.

Clubhouse legend Bernie Stowe was to be honored prior to the fireworks following Friday's game with the Miami Marlins. Stowe retired last fall after 67 years with the team.

Former Cincinnati Reds greats Ron Oester and Ken Griffey Jr. and Dave Parker all 2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Inductees sit for a meet and greet at the Reds Hall of Fame at Great American Ball Park. (Photo: The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)

Former Cincinnati Reds greats Ron Oester and Ken Griffey Jr., both 2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Inductees sits for a meet and greet at the Reds Hall of Fame at Great American Ball Park. (Photo: The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)

Former Cincinnati Reds greats Ron Oester and Ken Griffey Jr. and Dave Parker all 2014 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Inductees sit for a meet and greet at the Reds Hall of Fame at Great American Ball Park. (Photo: The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)

Wayne Young, left and his son Connor Young, both of Richmond, Virginia, talk to former Cincinnati Reds great Johnny Bench at a meet and greet on Reds Hall of Fame weekend in the Reds Hall of Fame at Great American Ball Park. (Photo: The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)

"One of the things that stands out more for me than anything since being with the Reds -- this is my fifth year -- people here have been Reds fans just generation upon generation," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "The history runs deep with the people here in Greater Cincinnati. People have followed the Reds for a lifetime.

"I understand the richness of the history. . . It's special for me, just as baseball fan."

"It's humbling to be around them," Jay Bruce said. "What they've accomplished in this game. What they've meant to this organization. It makes you really strive to be close to their accomplishments some day.

13-year-old Jack Clawson of Minneapolis, Minnesota donates the helmet worn by Ken Griffey Jr. for his 606th home run to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. He tells his story on induction weekend 2014 at the Reds Hall of Fame.

Griffey holds a special place for Bruce. Bruce grew up idolizing Griffey and then ended up being his teammate.

"Ken was the guy," Bruce said. "He made the All Century team at 30. That's pretty amazing. You could never model your game after Ken Griffey Jr. because he did everything so well. When I was young, I hit just like him as far as standing straight up with my hands where they are and where the elbows were."

TIPPING POINT?: Homer Bailey has been on quite a run lately. He's 2-1 with a 1.62 ERA in his last seven starts. His explanation?

"I never know how to answer that question," Bailey said.

Price thinks it may have something to do with hitters not knowing what's coming.

"There was a point when we thought he was tipping his pitches," Price said. "But that has been addressed. You don't really know because usually it's subtle. It is something (pitching coach) Jeff Pico and (bullpen coach) Mack Jenkins have tinkered with to create a little bit more awareness.

"If there are certain teams that have given him trouble, you look at it because his stuff is so good you wonder, 'How can one team be consistently good against Homer?'"

Bailey tries to guard against tipping. It happens on his breaking ball.

"I've done it in the past and I get somebody in the dugout to watch me to make sure I'm not," Bailey said. "I've been known to do it in the past. It's something I have to think about before each game. It is something I'm cognizant of."

Bailey's jaw was sore Friday after taking a line drive off it Thursday. But he was able to go about his usual routine.

PHILLIPS UPDATE:

Price isn't ready to put a timetable on Brandon Phillips' return from the disabled list. Phillips swung the bat Thursday for the first time since having surgery on his left thumb.

"That seemed to go well and we'll see today how that went," Price said. "If there is more to be added or if he has to back off remains to be seen. It's hard to say much more than that. I hate to say he is day-to-day, because that's what we say in this business, but before you define specific dates and assignments for him he has to just go and do what is assigned to him."

ONDRUSEK UPDATE:

Right-hander Logan Ondrusek, on the DL with sore shoulder, long-tossed Friday. He'll throw a bullpen session Saturday. He's close to being ready.